Acquisition of two treatments ‘rounds out’ Upsher-Smiths migraine portfolio
Upsher-Smith acquired Tosymra (sumatriptan) nasal spray and Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) injection from Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, as it continues to add to its migraine product portfolio.
Dr Reddy’s entered an asset purchase agreement with Upsher-Smith in June and the acquisition has now been completed. The agreement saw Upsher-Smith pay $70m (€62m) to acquire the rights of the two products in the US and other selected markets.
The transaction included an up-front cash payment, with a further $40.5m in near-term milestones and sales-based royalty payments included.
Before the acquisition, the products were commercialized through Dr. Reddy’s wholly-owned subsidiary Promus Pharma. The two therapies were Promus’ lead products, but the company has a pipeline including DFN-15 (oral liquid celecoxib) and DFN-19 (dihydroergotamine nasal spray).
Zembrace is already on the market and Tosymra has been approved. Both medications are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine in adults.
According to Upsher-Smith, more than thirty-six million Americans suffer from migraines.
The company’s current portfolio offers Qudexy XR (topirmate) extended-release capsules for the prevention of migraine headache in adults but the addition of Zembrace and Tosymra “rounds out Upsher-Smiths’ migraine product portfolio,” said a spokesperson for Upsher-Smith.
Upsher-Smith is preparing to launch Tosymra toward the end of 2019 and is working to ensure a transition of delivery for Zembrace SymTouch to patients as well.
This acquisition is one of a number of moves from Dr Reddy’s to divest assets, following the decision to sell an active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) plant and antibiotics facility last year.
